And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Beth-el, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai. And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few. So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water(Josh 7:2-5).
Flush from the success at Jericho, the Israelites were eager to press further into the land. After his scouts reported that they had found an easy target in the city of Ai, Joshua sent a few thousand men to capture the city. What happened next left them in shock. And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. They had failed, and Joshua was dumbfounded. He couldn’t understand how such a thing could have happened. Yet a quick look back through God’s Word reveals EXACTLY what went wrong.
Nine times in the first six chapters of the Book of Joshua, we find that the Lord has spoken to and directed Joshua (1:1; 3:7; 4:1,8,10,15; 5:2,15; 6:2). The Lord had orchestrated everything, from the crossing of the Jordan River to the fall of Jericho. Whether great or small, Joshua had taken no action without the input of God, right up to the point where he decided to capture the city of Ai. That decision Joshua chose to make on his own, and it resulted in the death of 36 of his men.
Scripture does not tell us why Joshua acted impulsively; it only describes the decision that was made and the consequences that followed. This was a rare but costly lapse in judgment for Joshua, but it is an all-too-common mistake for modern-day Christians. Most of us are diligent about going to God when faced with large and difficult decisions, but we often forget that He is equally invested in the ‘less important’ day-to-day aspects of our lives. When handling the ‘small stuff,’ we often bypass God and instead rely on our own good judgment, which can lead to all sorts of trouble.
Without the clear-cut direction provided by God’s Word, the slightest temptation is enough to cloud our judgment and lead us astray. By trusting in ourselves instead of actively seeking out the will of God, we are choosing to fly blind. Joshua moved against his enemies, confident that his status as an Israelite child of God was enough to ensure victory, and many today have fallen into the same trap. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall (Prov. 16:18). God does not work that way. Being called a Christian does not give us an edge. Our battles can only be won by accepting the love, care, and direction of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths(Prov. 3:5-6).
Thought for Today: We are encouraged to act independently so as not to place unnecessary burdens on others, but when this independence excludes God, it becomes nothing more than sinful pride.
Christ Revealed:Through the uncut stones at the altar (Josh. 8:31). Daniel saw Christ as a Stone which was not cut by human hands (Dan. 2:34,45). Jesus is our Chief Corner Stone (1 Pet. 2:6-8; Matt. 21:42).
Word Studies:7:1 anger of the Lord was kindled = fierceness of His anger (7:26); 7:2 view = explore; 7:6 rent = tore; put dust upon their heads = expressed intense sorrow by defiling their heads; 7:9 environ us = surround us; 7:11 dissembled = deceived; 7:13 sanctify = consecrate, cleanse; 7:18 taken = chosen; 7:26 Achor = Trouble; 8:11 pitched = camped; 8:13 liers in wait = concealed ambushers.
Pray for Staff:Tifany Parisi • Government Officials: Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA), Rep. Jason Crow (CO) • Country: Tonga (106,440) South Pacific Ocean • Major Languages: Tongan, English • Religious Freedom • 64.9% Protestant; 16.8% Mormon; 15.6% Roman Catholic; 2.7% Other/ None/Unspecified • Prayer Suggestion: Be specific in your prayers (Luke 18:41-43).
Optional Reading:John 6